Aces History: Notable Dates and Transactions
2018
FEBRUARY 28, 2018 – Resigned Kayla McBride.
FEBRUARY 26, 2018 – Resigned Sequoia Holmes and Cierra Burdick, and signed free agent forward Ivey Slaughter.
FEBRUARY 22, 2018 – Hired Vickie Johnson and Kelly (Schumacher) Raimon as assistant coaches.
FEBRUARY 2, 2018 – Acquired Kelsey Bone from the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for the 26th pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, and the Aces’ second round pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft which the team acquired the day prior from Indiana.
FEBRUARY 1, 2018 – Acquired the Indiana Fever’s second round pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft in exchange for center Kayla Alexander and Las Vegas’ third round pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft.
FEBRUARY 1, 2018 – Signed free agent center Carolyn Swords, and forward Tamera Young.
2017
DECEMBER 10 2017 – MGM Resorts announced that the team is changing its name to the Las Vegas Aces, and unveiled the new team logo≥
DECEMBER 8, 2017 – Las Vegas wins WNBA Draft Lottery and received the number one pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft.
OCTOBER 17, 2017 – The WNBA announced that MGM Resorts International purchased the San Antonio Stars and are relocating the team to Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas announced the hiring of Bill Laimbeer as the team’s president of basketball operations and head coach.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 – Kelsey Plum is named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team.
AUGUST 21, 2017 – Signed Cierra Burdick to a contract for the remainder of the season.
AUGUST 14, 2017 – Signed Cierra Burdick to a seven-day contract.
JUNE 28, 2017 – Acquired Shay Murphy, Sophie Brunner and a third round pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft from the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Monique Curry.
MAY 9, 2017 – Traded Jazmon Gwathmey to the Indiana Fever in exchange for the Fever’s 2018 third round pick.
APRIL 13, 2017 – Selected Kelsey Plum with the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft. The Stars also selected Nia Coffey (5th overall) and Schaquilla Nunn (25th overall).
FEBRUARY 27, 2017 – Acquired Clarissa Dos Santos from the Chicago Sky in exchange for Astou Ndour.
FEBRUARY 1, 2017 – Signed center Erika de Souza as a free agent.
JANUARY 31, 2017 – Acquired Isabelle Harrison and the fifth pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft from the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Danielle Robinson.
2016
DECEMBER. 22, 2016 – Announced Vickie Johnson as the ninth head coach in franchise history.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 – Dan Hughes coached his final game with the Star versus the Phoenix Mercury.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 – Jayne Appel-Marinelli retired from the WNBA.
APRIL 20, 2016 – Hired former player Ruth Riley as general manager.
APRIL 14, 2016 – Selected Moriah Jefferson with the second overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft. San Antonio acquired No. 14 pick Jazmon Gwathmey from Minnesota in exchange for Jia Perkins. The Stars also selected Brittney Martin with the 25th overall pick.
2015
JULY 5, 2015 – Acquired Samantha Logic from the Atlanta Dream in exchange for a 2016 second round draft pick.
APRIL 16, 2015 – Drafted Dearica Hamby, Nikki Moody and Dragana Stankovic, while also acquiring Alex Montgomery on WNBA Draft night.
2014
JULY 23, 2014 – Becky Hammon announces that she will retire following the conclusion of the 2014 WNBA season.
AUGUST 5, 2014 – Becky Hammon is named the first full-time female assistant coach in the NBA after the Spurs announce her hiring.
APRIL 14, 2014 – Selected Notre Dame guard Kayla McBride with the third overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft. The Stars also draft Astou Ndour of Spain and Bri Kulas of Missouri with their second and third round picks.
JANUARY 14, 2014 – San Antonio Stars reveal new logo and wordmark, dropping “Silver” from their name to be known as the San Antonio Stars. The franchise also announced marquee sponsorship with local grocer, H-E-B.
2013
APRIL 15, 2013 – With the No. 8 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, the San Antonio Silver Stars selected Kayla Alexander from Syracuse. The Silver Stars also selected Arizona’s Davellyn Whyte (16th overall), France’s Diandra Tchachouang (20th overall) and Oklahoma’s Whitney Hand (32nd overall).
MARCH 7, 2013 – Signed 13-year WNBA veteran Delisha Milton-Jones.
FEBRUARY 11, 2013 – Re-signs veteran guard Jia Perkins to a multi-year contract.
JANUARY 14, 2013 – Head coach and general manager Dan Hughes and the Silver Stars agree on a two-year contract extension.
2012
SEPTEMBER 28, 2012 – Danielle Robinson and Sophia Young are named to the WNBA All-Defensive Team. It marks the first time in franchise history that multiple players earn All-Defensive Team honors in the same season.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 – San Antonio makes its sixth- consecutive playoff appearance, facing off against the Los Angeles Sparks at USC’s Galen Center. The Sparks prevailed, 2-0, in the best-of-three series.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2012 – Made 13 three-point field goals in a 99-84 win against Minnesota, tying the franchise single-game record. Shenise Johnson set the franchise rookie record for 3-point field goal percentage in the win, going 4-for-4 from beyond the arc.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 – Defeated the New York Liberty, 77-66, in a nationally televised game on ESPN2 cementing the teams fourth 20-win season in franchise history.
AUGUST 25, 2012 – Defeated Tulsa, 91-71, at the AT&T Center to earn their franchise-record ninth-straight home win
AUGUST 21, 2012 – Defeated Washington, 75-72, to earn its franchise-record 12th-consecutive win. The streak is the longest in the WNBA during the 2012 season and is tied for third-best in league history with the Connecticut Sun’s 2006 12-game streak.
AUGUST 19, 2012 – Defeated Phoenix, 89-47, at the US Airways Center to earn their franchise-record seventh-consecutive road victory.
JULY 5, 2012 – Posted the largest comeback and largest turnaround in franchise history with its 88-72 win at Indiana. The Silver Stars rallied from an 18-point deficit to a 16-point win for a 34-point turnaround.
APRIL 16, 2012 – Selected University of Miami guard Shenise Johnson with the fifth overall pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft.
2011
SEPTEMBER 18, 2011 – Center Ruth Riley is named co- winner of the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award, along with Seattle’s Sue Bird … Riley is the second Silver Star to earn the honor, following Vickie Johnson in 2008.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2011 – Rookies Danielle Adams and Danielle Robinson are named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team, becoming the first Silver Stars to do so since Camille Little in 2007.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2011 – Danielle Robinson sets a franchise rookie record with 36 points in a 102-94 overtime win at Tulsa.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 – Becky Hammon scores a season-best 37 points, one shy of her career high, in a 82-65 win at Los Angeles to lead San Antonio to its fifth-consecutive playoff berth.
AUGUST 30, 2011 – Becky Hammon becomes the seventh player in WNBA history to reach the 5,000 career point plateau in a 72-59 win against Connecticut.
AUGUST 23, 2011 – Sophia Young scores her 3,000th point at Seattle, becoming the first player to score 3,000 points with the Silver Stars franchise.
JULY 23, 2011 – Hosted the WNBA All-Star Game for the first time in franchise history … Guard Becky Hammon and forward Danielle Adams represent the Silver Stars on the Western Conference All-Star Team … During a halftime ceremony, Hammon is named one of the Top 15 Players in WNBA history.
JULY 5, 2011 – Danielle Adams is named WNBA Rookie of the Month for June … Adams led all rookies in scoring (15.9 ppg) and field goal percentage (.511) during the first month of the season.
JUNE 28, 2011 – Defeated the Chicago Sky, 86-74, on the road, extending the best start in franchise history to 7-1.
JUNE 11, 2011 – Picked up an 86-74 come-from-behind win against Atlanta, marking its third-consecutive victory … The 3-0 mark is the best start in franchise history … Rookie Danielle Adams scores a then-franchise rookie record 32 points in the win.
APRIL 11, 2011 – With the No. 6 pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft, the San Antonio Silver Stars selected Danielle Robinson from Oklahoma. The Silver Stars also selected Danielle Adams of national champion Texas A&M (20th overall) and Porsha Phillips of Georgia (30th overall).
MARCH 23, 2011 – Head coach and general manager Dan Hughes announces the return of Vickie Johnson as assistant coach. Johnson played four seasons with the Silver Stars after signing with the squad as a free agent in February 2006. She averaged 7.8 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game during her 128 career games in San Antonio.
MARCH 3, 2011 – The WNBA announces that San Antonio will host the 2011 WNBA All-Star Game at the AT&T Center for the first time in franchise history on Saturday, July 23 at 2:30 p.m. CT.
JANUARY 28, 2011 – Announced that Dan Hughes will resume his dual roles as head coach and general manager in 2011 after stepping down as head coach for the 2010 season.
2010
AUGUST 26, 2010 – Made their fourth- consecutive playoff appearance, losing game one of the Western Conference semifinals, 106-93, to the Phoenix Mercury.
JUNE 30, 2010 – A franchise record and league-high four Silver Stars are selected to the 2010 WNBA All-Star Team. San Antonio’s Jayne Appel, Becky Hammon, Michelle Snow and Sophia Young are all among the top 10 vote getters, earning a spot on the All-Star squad.
MAY 15, 2010 – Opened the season at home for the first time since 2005, falling to the Atlanta Dream, 70-75.
APRIL 8, 2010 – With the fifth overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft the Silver Stars selected Jayne Appel out of Stanford University. The Silver Stars also selected Alysha Clark of Middle Tennessee State (17th overall) and Alexis Rack of Mississippi State (29th overall).
FEBRUARY 25, 2010 – Dan Hughes steps aside from his head coach duties to become full-time general manager and names Sandy Brondello as his successor.
2009
SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 – Made their third-consecutive playoff appearance, hosting the Phoenix Mercury in the Western Conference semifinal opener. San Antonio won the rst game of the series, 92-91, but Phoenix won the next two at home to advance.
AUGUST 29, 2009 – Set a franchise record with 21 points in overtime in a 100-88 win against Detroit. Becky Hammon and Sophia Young both scored more than 30 points in the contest, marking the first time in franchise history that two Silver Stars played scored 30-plus points in a game. Hammon tallied 32 points in the win while Young tied her career-best with 31.
AUGUST 21, 2009 – Sophia Young scored a career-high31 points against Los Angeles and in doing so, surpassed the 2,000 career point mark. She became the third player from the 2006 Draft Class and the fastest player in franchise history to reach the 2,000 point plateau, doing so in just 125 career games.
AUGUST 20, 2009 – Scored a franchise-record 30 points in the fourth quarter of a 93-87 loss at Atlanta.
AUGUST 15, 2009 – Set a franchise record for points scored in a game, defeating Phoenix, 106-89, at home. San Antonio’s 31 second-quarter points and 61 first-half point also stand as franchise-best marks.
JULY 25, 2009 – Becky Hammon and Sophia Young represent the Silver Stars at the 2009 WNBA All-Star Game in Connecticut.
APRIL 9, 2009 – Selected Megan Frazee (14th overall), Sonja Petrovic (26th overall) and Candyce Bingham (39th overall) in the 2009 WNBA Draft.
JANUARY 7, 2009 – Signed Sophia Young to a three-year extension.
2008
SEPTEMBER 28, 2008 – Defeated Los Angeles, 76-72, to claim the Western Conference title and advance to the WNBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2008 – Defeated Sacramento, 77-69, to finish the regular season with a franchise-best 24-10 record, which also marked the best record in the WNBA.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2008 – Becky Hammon and Vickie Johnson played their 260th career game together against Connecticut, marking the third-most games played as teammates in the WNBA.
JULY 27, 2008 – Vickie Johnson became the eighth player in WNBA history to score 4,000 points. She also became the first player in league history to have collected 4,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists in a career.
JULY 8, 2008 – Becky Hammon’s six assists helped her cross the 800 assists plateau and make her the seventh player in WNBA history to reach 3,000 points and 800 assists. She also went 14-for-15 from the free throw line to break a franchise record for free throws made in a game.
MAY 20, 2008 – With a 81-76 win against Phoenix, head coach and general manager Dan Hughes becomes the winningest coach in franchise history with 41 wins.
APRIL 9, 2008 – Selected Chioma Nnamaka (21st overall) and Alex Anderson (39th overall) in the 2008 WNBA Draft. Traded Camille Little, Chioma Nnamaka and a 2009 first round draft pick to Atlanta in exchange for Ann Wauters, Morenike Atunrashe and a 2009 second round draft pick.
MARCH 11, 2008 – Extended Becky Hammon’s contract through the 2011 season and signed Ruth Riley through 2009.
2007
SEPTEMBER 8, 2007 – Head coach and general manager Dan Hughes is named WNBA Coach of the Year, his second career award and the first for San Antonio.
AUGUST 23, 2007 – Began playoff series in Sacramento, marking the franchise’s first playoff appearance since moving to San Antonio. The Stars go on to win the best-of-three series before falling to eventual WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury in the Western Conference Finals.
JULY 15, 2007 – Becky Hammon and Sophia Young represent the Silver Stars at the 2007 WNBA All-Star Game in Washington, D.C.
APRIL 4, 2007 – With the second overall pick in the WNBA Draft, the Silver Stars select Jessica Davenport. San Antonio also drafts Camille Little (17th overall) and Nare Diawara (30th overall). The team then trades Davenport and a 2008 first-round draft pick to New York in exchange for Becky Hammon and a 2008 second-round draft pick.
2006
AUGUST 12, 2006 – One of seven players to have played all 10 seasons of the WNBA’s existence, Vickie Johnson’ finishes the season as the league’s all-time leader in minutes and games played.
JULY 12, 2006 – Sophia Young represents the Silver Stars at the 2006 WNBA All-Star Game.
JULY 3, 2006 – Shannon Johnson ties the franchise record for steals in a game with eight against Los Angeles. She shares the record with former Silver Star Semeka Randall, who accomplished the feat in 2004.
APRIL 5, 2006 – With the fourth overall pick, San Antonio selects Sophia Young in the 2006 WNBA Draft. The Silver Stars also draft Shanna Zolman (16th overall) and Khara Smith (30th overall).
FEBRUARY 9, 2006 – Signed free agent Vickie Johnson.
2005
AUGUST 25, 2005 – Appoint head coach Dan Hughes to dual roles as both general manager and head coach.
AUGUST 9, 2005 – Shannon Johnson dished out her 1,000th career assist at Minnesota. She became the first player in league history to score more than 2,500 points in her career.
JULY 9, 2005 – Marie Ferdinand represented the Silver Stars at the 2005 WNBA All-Star Game in Connecticut. It marks the third-consecutive all-star selection for Ferdinand.
APRIL 16, 2005 – With the fourth overall pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft, San Antonio selects Kendra Wecker of Kansas State. The Silver Stars also draft Shyra Ely of Tennessee (14th overall) and Catherine Kraayeveld of Oregon (30th overall).
JANUARY 4, 2005 – Named Dan Hughes the seventh head coach in franchise history.
2004
AUGUST 26, 2004 – Silver Stars guard Shannon Johnson brings home gold after helping Team USA knock off Australia in the gold medal game, scoring eight of her 12 points in the fourth quarter en route to a 74-63 win. During the Olympics Johnson appeared in all eight games for Team USA, averaging 6.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 16.4 minutes per game.
APRIL 17, 2004 – San Antonio selected Cindy Dallas in the second round (21st overall) and Toccara Williams (34th overall) in the 2004 WNBA Draft.
FEBRUARY 2, 2004 – Silver Stars guard Jennifer Azzi announced her retirement from the WNBA. Azzi leaves the Silver Stars as the all-time leader in assists, free-throw percentage, three-point field goal percentage, three-point field goal attempts and three-point field goals made.
JANUARY 28, 2004 – Traded the fourth, 16th and 29th overall picks in the 2004 WNBA Draft to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for Shannon Johnson and the 21st and 34th overall picks.
2003
OCTOBER 30, 2003 – Dee Brown is named the sixth head coach in franchise history.
JULY 12, 2003 – Margo Dydek and Marie Ferdinand represent the Silver Stars in the 2003 WNBA All-Star Game in New York City.
JUNE 24, 2003 – Earned the franchise’s first road win in San Antonio defeating the Sacramento Monarchs, 60-57, at ARCO Arena.
MAY 24, 2003 – San Antonio makes its home debut, defeating the Seattle Storm, 65-56, in front of 15,593 fans at the SBC Center.
APRIL 25, 2003 – Coretta Brown becomes the first player drafted by the San Antonio Silver Stars with the 11th overall selection in the 2003 WNBA Draft. San Antonio also selected Ke-Ke Tardy (25th overall) and Brooke Armistead (40th overall).
FEBRUARY 19, 2003 – Team unveils its new logo.
JANUARY 10, 2003 – Spurs Sports and Entertainment changes the name of its WNBA franchise to the San Antonio Silver Stars.
2002
DECEMBER 18, 2002 – Candi Harvey is named the fifth head coach in franchise history and the first head coach in the team’s San Antonio history.
DECEMBER 5, 2002 – Spurs Sports and Entertainment learns that the Utah Starzz will relocate to San Antonio and begin play in 2003.
NOVEMBER 13, 2002 – Spurs Sports and Entertainment announces they have reached the 6,000 ticket deposit goal and has secured a WNBA team to begin play in 2003.
AUGUST 20, 2002 – The Utah Starzz defeat the Houston Comets, 75-72, in game three of the first round of the 2002 WNBA Playoffs to earn their first playoff series victory. The Starzz lose to eventual WNBA Champion Los Angeles Sparks in the Western Conference Finals.
AUGUST 18, 2002 – The Utah Starzz and Houston Comets play the first double-overtime game in WNBA playoff history with Houston emerging victorious, 83-77.
AUGUST 16, 2002 – The Utah Starzz make their second- consecutive playoff appearance, defeating the Houston Comets, 66-59.
JUNE 22, 2002 – Natalie Williams etches her name into the WNBA record books as she becomes the first player to record a 20-20 game, scoring 22 points and grabbing 20 rebounds against Sacramento.
APRIL 20, 2002 – The Starzz select Danielle Crockrom (11th overall), LaNeishea Caufield (14th overall), Andrea Gardner (27th overall), Edmarie Lumbsley (43rd overall) and Jacklyn Winfield (59th overall).
MARCH 18, 2002 – WNBA in S.A. 2003 campaign kicks off with the goal of reaching 6,000 season ticket deposits by November 15, 2002.
JANUARY 29, 2002 – Spurs Sports and Entertainment receives word from the WNBA that they are assured a team in 2003.
2001
AUGUST 17, 2001 – The Utah Starzz make their first playoff appearance, losing to the Sacramento Monarchs, 65-89. The Starzz drop the series to the Monarchs, 0-2.
AUGUST 13, 2001 – Jennifer Azzi sets the WNBA single-season record in three-point field goal percentage, shooting 51.4 percent from behind the arc.
JULY 16, 2001 – Natalie Williams is selected to represent the Starzz at the WNBA All-Star Game, but was unable to play due to injury.
JULY 7, 2001 – Margo Dydek notches the first triple-double in Starzz history and only the second triple-double in WNBA history with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocked shots. Her 10 blocked shots also breaks her personal WNBA record of nine set on August 6, 1998.
APRIL 20, 2001 – Utah selects Marie Ferdinand, Michaela Pavlickova, Shea Ralph and Cara Consuegra in the 2001 WNBA Draft.
2000
AUGUST 9, 2000 – Jennifer Azzi finishes the season leading the league in minutes played (37.3 mpg) and free-throw percentage (93 percent). Margo Dydek finishes the season leading the league in blocks (3.0 bpg) and Korie Hlede claims the league title in three-point shooting percentage (43.1 percent).
JULY 17, 2000 – Natalie Williams represents the Starzz in the 2000 WNBA All-Star Game for the second-consecutive season.
APRIL 24, 2000 – Utah traded the third and eighth overall picks in the 2000 WNBA Draft to the Detroit Shock in exchange for Jennifer Azzi and Detroit’s 12th overall pick.
1999
AUGUST 21, 1999 – Margo Dydek finishes the season leading the WNBA in blocked shots with 2.41 blocks per game.
JULY 14, 1999 – Natalie Williams is selected to play in the inaugural WNBA All-Star Game.
JULY 11, 1999 – Natalie Williams becomes the first player in franchise history to earn WNBA Player of the Week honors for the period ending July 11.
JULY 6, 1999 – Utah defeats the Detroit Shock, 104-94, in double overtime. The 104 points marks a Starzz franchise record for the most points in a game.
MAY 4, 1999 – Utah selects Natalie Williams, Debbie Black, Adrienne Goodson and Dalma Ivanyi in the 1999 WNBA Draft.
1998
AUGUST 17, 1998 – Margo Dydek finishes the season leading the league in rebounding, blocks and minutes played.
AUGUST 12, 1998 – Wendy Palmer sets a franchise record with 31 points in an 81-71 win against Sacramento.
AUGUST 6, 1998 – Margo Dydek sets a league-record with nine blocked shots against the Cleveland Rockers.
APRIL 29, 1998 – Utah selects Margo Dydek with the first overall pick in the 1998 WNBA Draft. The Starzz also select Olympia Scott, LaTonya Johnson and Tricia Bader in the draft.
1997
JUNE 23, 1997 – The Starzz earn their first victory with a 102-89 win against Los Angeles.
JUNE 21, 1997 – Utah makes its basketball debut, hosting the Sacramento Monarchs at the Delta Center. The opening night lineup includes Wendy Palmer, Deborah Carter, Karen Booker, Lady Hardmon and Tammi Reiss. The Monarchs hand the Starzz a 70-60 loss.
APRIL 28, 1997 – Utah selects Tammi Reiss, Jessie Hicks, Reagen Scott and Kim Williams in the 1997 WNBA Draft.
APRIL 19,1997 – Denise Taylor is named the first head coach in franchise history.
FEBRUARY 27, 1997 – Dena Head and Wendy Palmer are the first two draft picks of the Utah Starzz when they are selected in the first and second rounds of the WNBA’s Elite Draft.
1996
OCTOBER 30, 1996 – Utah is one of eight cities selected as one of the WNBA’s charter franchises to begin operations in 1997.